Dear Creepy Weird Dude with the gross sticker on your truck,
If you wanted to tell the world, "I have three outstanding orders of protection, unpaid child support, and women cover their drinks when I walk into the room"
we get that, but why didn't you just say so?
If you were dying for everyone to know, "I am that annoying relative that nobody really wants at the Thanksgiving dinner table, because he always gets shitfaced and causes a scene."
that's understood.
If you wanted to tell the world, "I am a low-wattage, zero-charm, totally unfuckable loser,"
message received.
Your decision to put this creepy sticker on yourunpaid-for truck tells us all those bad things about you. And so much more.
Dang Jim!! You said everything I could possibly say and did it much better without swearing every other word.. but totally unfuckable loser is awesome!!!🙌🏽🤙🏽🙌🏽
I remember the Senate as a dignified body. Their members didn’t campaign against each other. That ended when Mitch McConnell’s open racist disdain became the rule. The House, always scrappy, went down the hell hole with Gingrich, then Karl Rove the unelected trash.
I believed&embraced Michele Obama’s: when they go low, we go high.
But frankly, I’ve had enough.
That anyone thought Trump won the Biden/Trump debate insults my intelligence&good nature. Trump failed to answer any questions, lied&rambled his way thru the evening.
Do I think “couch fucker” is distasteful? Maybe, but there’s no doubt Trump is a lying, felonious, rapist. There’s also after of life of excess&no moral compass evident dementia.
I think the tide is turning and that everyone has "had enough" but it can't come quickly enough. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Yes, we need to call out the evil when we see it in no uncertain terms.
donald has already lost the popular vote twice. His juvenile behavior and total lack of empathy should disqualify him from the job of president. But it’s his constant efforts to divide us and stoke violent behavior that should disqualify him from even running for the job again.
Who will be injured, killed or maimed as result of the now better organized and mobilized MAGA “army” that has been waiting to fight for “their” country and quite literally, remove their hated enemies.
Believe me, I don't take the threat lightly. Crazy people can be violent, and we have seen on J6 and in active threats currently posted online on social media that we are dealing with the worst kind of crazy people who feel justified in carrying out violence against fellow Americans. Do you think it will help if we fix our economy and work to create good jobs for everyone? Idle hands are the devil's workshop. Also we need good education on maintaining health and well-being because a mind is a terrible thing to waste. We need healthy minds and busy hands.
Better education and better economic development will create a more stable environment and reduce the frustration and fear that destabilization causes:
I really don't care how they feel about being called "couch fucker" or even "fascist", when I've heard the Left called "pedos", "demons", "Stalinists", "traitors", "terrorists", and now "unhumans". If they don't want to be called "fascists" perhaps they should act less like fascists. As a wise man once said, "acting like a clown gives us the right to laugh".
At the age of 70 I have the same perspective re Congress. Hell, I remember the Watergate hearings. They couldn't happen now with the posturing creatures that are now in both houses.
I've been an expat for 45 years, working in several different countries. The racism in the US is in a class of its own, and must be confronted in all its forms!
The way I see it is the only way we're gonna get rid of this degree of racism and other bigotry is collectively shun bigots from society and social life. Enough of us stand up and say to the people we know "no I will not agree to disagree, we can't just not discuss it, if kind of hate and discrimination is what's in your heart then even if it doesn't affect me directly I don't want to be anywhere near you let anyone your friend or customer or whatever else"
Make then feel embarrassed to be racist or homophobic. Make them embarrassed to be ableist. Should we have to shame them? No. But as we drive that behavior out of our acceptable society, the thinking that causes it will eventually follow
I’m a Christian, and the issue is MAGA hate, not right vs left. I’ve been called a baby killer for sharing about my miscarriage. By the right. So maybe as a Christian, your responsibility is not to preach Christ at everyone but to live like Christ and start by rebuking the abusers among you. Judgement begins with the church, not from it to everyone else. This is the comment of someone who doesn’t get repentance at all. It’s not about controlling everyone else. It starts with you. How can you complain about the left in the context of this post? I can give you multiple examples of how I’ve been abused by “the right” and I’m not defending the left by doing so.
I’m not white. Native Hawaiian here.. I’m married to a white like Casper white dude. Everyone I come across even in California always without fail: “What are you”.. only when I’m home in Hawaii no one asks me that.. I grew up in a wealthy area in Newport Beach.. some assumed I was Hispanic.. no I’m not. I’m a Native Hawaiian Norwegian.. my hubby is Finn and has brown hair and bright blue eyes and he gets darker than I do.. growing up in Newport I didn’t get trolled because of who my Dad was and we were well off.. but now in this racist climate thanks to that Orange Asshat and the Repuklicant Party I get looked up and down and a few people made comments to my husband asking: where’d you find her.. Is she your new live in maid? My hubby clocked the guy.. that’s my wife and you better be respectful. The guy is persona non grata now.. no one will do business with him.. he came back to my husband and mea culpa’d .. my husband has a very good long assed memory.. he refuses to do business with him and quite a few others have followed suit.. FAFO moment.. here’s the way to handle bullshit.. hold people accountable. You make racist comments you lose business. You treat people how you’d like to be treated.. treat people like crap your gonna end up eating crap. I always try my best to follow my father’s rules: Integrity character and kindness. Period end of story. Learn it.. Live it.. Love it
Absolutely true, thanks for that great comment. I too don't listen to this "when you call them out it divides us" crap. If they don't want to be called racist, then they shouldn't behave like racists. Thank you for your wonderful story!
This is an excellent point. I live in a supposedly "purple" community. 2016 and 2020: As soon as I saw the tRump signs go up on ANY of the businesses in the community, I stopped going to those businesses or added them to my mental list of never-going-to-that-business. If someone is idiotic enough to publicize their racist politics in a business environment, they deserve to lose business.
As a non U.S. citizen my one place I went to was Hawai’i Lovely people. Makes me think of the Indigenous people in the PNW. My respect to you and your spouse.
I am sorry you both had to deal with morons. My reflex would be for you to say,”No, he’s my boy toy”. This is why I have to remind myself at 72 I am no longer a badass.
:) Yeah, I have to remind myself of that often too. I think of the scene from "No Country for Old Men" where Tommy Lee Jones emphasizes that all conflict is uncertain. The rule is to always walk away and keep living, that's how you win!
What I would like to say to these assholes with the idiotic trucks and ignorant bumper stickers is “sorry about your penis” and “sorry your dad didn’t love you”. It’s always one or the other. It’s unfortunate that we live in a world where their dysfunction causes them to lash out and blame everyone else for their pathetic, hate filled lives. And the rest of us have to deal with it.
So much about American pop culture now is about the "flex," and this type of awful political flex has been manifested by trumpism. Yes, the over-the-top monster trucks with huge flags, the maxi pad on the ear look, the hate-filled bumper stickers and window decals, all meant to externalize what you mentioned. Too bad our culture does not have a "fix yourself" mentality that is larger than the vile public display of their proudly pathetic shortcomings.
It goes further back than Donnie - I remember when the Hummer H2 came out and the radio commercials had the tagline "As a matter of fact, you DO own the road!".
Any time I see the idiots with the giant lifted trucks (that always look like they’ve never been off-road, btw) my first thought is, “sorry about your penis,” then, “Sorry for the people in your life who have to tolerate you.” These always seem like angry, intolerant young men. I know I am digressing from the article, but these ridiculous trucks generally have at least one hateful sticker on them. Don’t even get me started on “truck nuts.”
Your comment reminds me of a true story my ex-husband used to tell from the time he worked as a nursing assistant on the psych floor of a hospital. One of the male patients used to like to wander the halls with his robe open trying to startle the younger, predominantly female, staff. The nursing supervisor had the perfect response to his nonsense.
“I know. It IS very small, isn’t it? Come on, let’s get you back to your room.”
I always think of this story when I see the oversized trucks with oversized Trump flags. I just see them as advertising how very unmanly they feel and therefore are.
It puts me in mind of the “Real men don’t…” stickers from the 80s.
IMO Real Men don’t see anything good about putting other people down to feel better about themselves.
I worked construction in the ‘70s as a young woman. My favorite was when a welder exposed himself to my friend and she said,”that reminds me I need to get some toothpicks back at camp”. He later told her her comment would hurt a man’s feelings. She said a man with feelings would never do that to a woman.
BTW the big trucks are needed to haul their egos around. Their intelligence can be hauled on a skateboard.
There’s so much truth in your comment. The worst part is these repugnant men who then, after an assault, feel they have the right to complain about their “feelings” getting hurt. Our society has to start getting these monsters into treatment rather than accommodating their awful behavior. Thanks for sharing.
My kids are not white, they’re Asian. My son doesn’t say much, but my daughter spent 9 months of the tRump administration in the States with her dad. She was constantly insulted and dealt with a lot of micro aggressions at her job. She had enough and came back to Sweden. It was 2023 before she agreed to go visit her dad and other family again. But she has made it clear that her home is here (she’s grown up here since she was 2) and has no interest in ever living in the US. It makes me sad to think about how many people don’t have an alternative. That’s what we must work on. I want all the people I love (and some of the ones I don’t love) in the States to be safe, secure , and treated fairly. I’d also like my kids to be able to choose to stay in Sweden because they simply like it here, not to avoid the US. I hope we can achieve this!
The Trump administration repeatedly called for violence against the Asian community, it was deplorable. I'm glad she has the opportunity to live in Sweden. The USA needs to be reformed from the top down. Thanks for your kind words!
As an person of Asian descent, it speaks volumes to me how tRump referred to COVID as the "kung flu" and thinks not only that that is a witticism but also asserts that it is an innocuous comment. Hey, Steve Cheung, do you realize you are of Chinese descent? Quoting Drill Sergeant Hartman from Full Metal Jacket., what is your major malfunction?
My brain can NOT comprehend how any person of color or any woman of any race can be a MAGat. I understand how regardless of race or gender one be either liberal or conservative, but this is just insanity. My daughter left before the pandemic, so I can only imagine how bad it would
I am of the opinion T/rump is not truly human. I believe he was conjured up by demons in hell and sent into the world to spread hate and chaos. If there is a just God, T/rump will have a special place waiting for him in hell. I cannot think of anyone more deserving them T/rump to spend eternity in hell.
I get where you’re coming from on that Rob. It’s tempting to ascribe such malevolence as we witness in Trump and some of his closest followers to a supernatural cause. My own belief is that it lets the rest of us off the hook in a way when we deny that that behavior too, is human behavior. I believe malignant narcissists are made, not born. And I am passionate about electing Democrats because I want to live in a world where no child is ever again neglected and mistreated to the point that he becomes another DT. We have a very long way to go, but it is within the scope of human power to do so, if we have the will.
you do realize that " fuck (insert name here)" is Duhmurican for " I'm a mean, really, really, stupid, son of a bitch" it's actually good to see these people label themselves so we know who to avoid.
Yup, they're awful people. I think we have to get in the habit of taking pictures of their cars with these racist slogans and calls for violence, and then report them to their place of work. There have to be consequences for this behavior.
Agreed. There are content creators who already spend a lot of their time outing people who are overtly bigoted to others in public. This seems like a good next step.
I also wish you had no electoral college, no bent judges, and a long time culture of compulsory abd easy voting, and none of this fuss.
(I wish we had no bent judges, either. )
Your children do not need to see that truck. None of us do. Its just about creating a war. Who wants to destroy your country? Divide and conquer... Who expects the spoils?
I really hope and pray for your peace and safety, and no war.
I do have hope that this is possible. I cling to that.
To name a few of those expecting to receive the spoils of "divide and conquer Americans" are the wealthy individuals and corporations heavily invested in the fossil fuel industry, pharmaceutical industry, banking industry, military equipment industry, real estate industry, insurance industry, hospital industry, foreign adversaries, corrupt politicians and judges. They've gotten in the driver's seat of parts of our government. These are big and powerful enemies, but the power of the people through our vote and our pocketbook is bigger than they are. With passion and persistence we can undo the laws and regulations that gave away our power to them.
I'm so sorry you have to have these conversations with your daughter--that any parent has to do so. Racists are the first to squawk when they don't get to spew their hate. I agree that the restraint of the rest of the population abridges our rights to free speech, but speaking up makes us vulnerable to violence or threats of violence. It's a sad situation, and I don't know the answer. Thanks for posting.
Isn't it awful that this is the state of things? What an embarrassment the USA has become. I think the best tactic is to take pictures of these jerks and spread them wherever we can. If they want to put their racism on display, the rest of the world should know who they are. Thanks for the comment!
There’s a subreddit called “Info Warriors” - or something like that - where people post photos of cars & trucks covered with the kinds of bumper stickers you’re talking about, and then make fun of them. From what I recall, it’s a lot of conspiracy theory stuff, but also a lot of racist stuff. Ironically, it seemed they could often be found in the parking lot of a Mexican restaurant.
They don't WANT to hide it. They're proud of being racist because they somehow interpret that as "freedom", and they adore their gibbering idiot President and Elon "Free Speech For Nazis" Musk for letting them do it in public.
That's true. I guess we have to give them a reason to want to hide it. It's disgusting how they want free speech for Nazis but not anyone else. Thanks for the comment!
Excellent summation, Walter. It's absolutely true that liberals are more restricted than conservatives, even by ourselves, since one of the main defining characteristics of each seems to be empathy vs. the complete lack of it. And your observation that powerful white men perpetuate racism and misogyny is so on target. I'm sure any of those types would vigorously disagree. My liberal friends (I only have liberal friends) and I joke about how much easier it is to be a conservative: no worries about global warming, the environment, racism, sexism, equality, kindness, the common good, etc. They can pour their energies, and it is readily apparent that they do this, into hatred, bullying, derision, and displays like that window decal. To the person who owns that vehicle and placed that decal, I would ask, how would you feel if your mother, sister, or daughter were called a "hoe?" Probably you'd want to grab your nearest handy firearm, I'm sure. But to be the recipient of such vulgar nonsense does not even occur to someone like that. Therein lies their defining personality trait.
Absolutely true and very well said. We have the scientific method on the left, so we tend to appear to bicker with each other, while the right is unified by hatred and ignorance. But our side is more powerful despite our apparent flaws. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
Is it discriminatory of me to give at least a partial pass to the less educated cult members but to expect more from the Paul Singers, the Adelsons, the Mercers, the Tim Mellons, the Thiels and to ascribe deep seated racism and a disturbing affinity for authoritarianism to those ultrawealthy megadonors? I am particularly puzzled how Singer and the Adelsons (well, Mrs. Adelson now that Sheldon has passed) throw their lot in with thevMAGA movement, which includes viciously antisemitic elements
I am almost 70. Having spent my formative teen years in a rural county in Maryland after an extremely abusive and dysfunctional family childhood experience in SE Washington DC, I didn't realize until my mid 20's how backwards that rural experience had been.
I would say that overall, living in that rural world, that it was an intellectual abyss, with the possible exception of a few teachers. The news was local, mostly baseball and football oriented, and sports was the main social orientation at school. Not arts, not music, not the larger culture. Spectator sports, along with cars, guns, fishing, camping, hunting were the main topics of interest or recreation. Racism was palpable. Marriage was, at that time, the main aspiration for girls. Trades were the main work opportunities for men as were lots of factory jobs. In hindsight, it appeared that people were just going through the "normy" zombie motions, in the big hamster-wheel of life. I was lucky to step away and taste a larger, more urban experience, which was both enriching, eye-opening, and humbling.
Living in rural areas can stifle intellectual curiosity, which isn't exactly discouraged, but not encouraged either. Local papers are weak and parochial. And Life gets in the way a lot, especially with lower incomes.
But in 2024, things are a bit different, with the advent of the main stream media, 24 hour news, smartphones, the internet, and the information highway. Although rural folks have more access these days, they still seem to self-select anti-culture, anti-intellectualism, and particularly xenophobic tendencies. It's a big barrel of Dunning-Kruger, but they take pride in not caring. Folks like the guy driving that pickup are just going through the motions of that culture (or lack of), on top of more violent, mostly testicular, grievances.
Finally, I think the small penis thing is definitely a legitimate issue.
I've written a lot about the rural experience. Even now, after all these years, I feel like I'm on the fringes of civilized society. Thanks for the thoughtful post, you've given me a few ideas to explore in future articles!
I agree with you in the past there may not have been many options or sources of content that could promote culture, or intellectualism, or curiosity, or diversity, etc, but now, with the wide Internet easily accessible to most people in the these conservative communities, that excuse falls flat. Anyone still choosing those types of sources exclusively is actively avoiding any other viewpoint, and other experience. It's a choice at that point, so nowadays, even if someone is racist out of ignorance, they are still responsible for that as it is on everyone to choose to learn about marginalized communities that they are not part of
When I am puzzled by people who seem to be acting against their own better interest, I have learned to check my supposition. If it looked like a person had joined a group who was vocal about hating people like them, i.e., POC joining a white supremacist group, I used to think it reflected self-loathing and conflict, but now I'm not sure that is the case. The more I understand about power and control (through whatever means - political, through wealth and status, or from behind a weapon), the more I think I simply would like it to be easy to understand - that everyone who "fits" into a group would be able to understand and have empathy for others in the group who have the same kind of experiences. But that is not the case. Not everyone has empathy for others, whether they are similar to them or not and certainly if they are seen as dissimilar. Because I acknowledge what is right in front of my face, I do accept that there are sociopaths among us, and my empathy and appreciation that they are a human being, and maybe a human who was short-changed when it comes to having a conscience and empathy for others, has absolutely no effect on their behaviour - they have no empathy for me or anyone else. What is shocking to me is that I always believed that sort of person was a rarity, but again, I have to accept what I see.
So, that might speak to the footsoldier in the MAGA army - the ones who, after January 6th, went home, sort of woke up from the mass hypnosis that drove them to go to the Capitol and scream so many obscenities along with everyone else and behave in ways completely alien to themselves. I actually saw interviews with some people who suddenly realized what was happening and shook themselves back to awareness and got the hell out of there. I saw one man who talked about exactly that and how he literally had to drag his wife out of the mob and out of the Capitol building. But of the others, the ones who are propping up Trump and his followers with money and other rewards? I think we have to look past the group they look like they would be a part of (race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic group, etc) and look to the payoff for them. I cannot pretend to understand what would be a payoff, but money, power, and being allowed to hang out around money and power are the first things that come to mind for me. But then, I don't run in those circles and don't have a clue how it would feel.
But I also believe that we can look at the story of Faust to see how this might (or should) end for them. In the long run, I might have empathy for them, but it will not change my holding them responsible for their behaviour.
This is a very thoughtful comment Vickie. I agree that it's important to probe beneath the surface and try to figure out what's happening here. I think we're making progress, but it's been something I've been doing for 10 years, and it's slow going. That moment of awakening can happen. We have to figure out how to provoke it throughout the country. Thanks for your words!
The people who join White supremacists think that when the revolution comes, they'll be protected, much like the Brown Shirts in Germany. Since we don't teach real history anymore, most don't know about the "Night of the Long Knives," when the Brown Shirts were either killed or sent to Concentration Camps because they thought they were owed something and no one wanted to give them a damned thing. If Trump and his ilk win or lose, blood will flow either way. As soon as they are no longer useful, they are gone. Sad.
Yeah there's definitely a "I'm one of the good ones" attempted by some members of marginalized communities trying to cozy up to their oppressors, morning to avoid the persecution and discrimination shown to others in their community, but all they end up accomplishing is being used to further the marginalization of their community, only fall victim at some point later too the same problems.
One great example in my opinion is Caitlyn Jenner. She, a trans woman, regularly speaks out against the rights of trans women. She believes that her money combined with her cooperation in our marginalization will keep her safe from the right, but they will come for her, and she will have helped to seal her own fate if we do not succeed
Walter, personally I think the "bickering" is our strength and, even if some people get anxious about our not falling in line with some concept that explains everything about our policies and plans for the future. No matter what, discussion always is better than just falling in line behind some jingoistic slogans.
Unfortunately, they are trying to make racism policy. They're trying to indoctrinate our children with it. They're trying to teach it in schools. They're using it to clutter up all forms of media. We have to do better. Thanks for your comment!
It breaks my heart that you even had to have this adult conversation with your 11 year old daughter. 😔
Before tRump, it was, at the very least, socially unacceptable for these people to let their hate and ignorance loose in public! There was never a “fine line” between free speech and hate speech! Then, tRump gave them all permission to come out from the rocks they were hiding under and offered no accountability!
With all honesty, it’s not the people of color, Latinos, immigrants, or Jews that embarrass me to be an American. It’s the racist, ignorant, white Christian nationalists that do!
It certainly has gotten worse, but that hate has always bubbled just beneath the surface in our communities. Hopefully we'll start to see why this kind of thing can't be allowed. Thanks for the comment!
That’s exactly right! I was just telling my mom that if anything positive came from that sorry excuse of a human being (tRump), it’s that he showed us who we really are! The hate crawled right out from under their rocks with his permission! The hard part is going to be getting them to slither back underneath them! 🗳️💙🌹
Donald Trump is the whore he has cheated on all three of his wives multiple times and he has three baby mamas but yet that’s OK. Imagine if Kamala was in the same situation you would never hear the end of it.
I’m surrounded by folks that think it’s funny and I’d love to share your full article and/or these (2) quotes of yours to help them reflect:
“What an awful message to send out into the world. What an embarrassing level of ignorance on display.”
“We can’t allow for the further normalization of racist hatred. The behavior of modern conservatives is an affront to common decency. We have to do better.”
They’re so easily triggered, but this commentary can’t be denied — unless you’re a white racist of course.
I am a biracial woman (black and white) who is an engineer. If you want to see how this plays out in someone's life- the sexism and racism- in corporate America, I invite you to read my Substack. I share what it is like to be a female person of color in a male dominated industry. I have had over 20 years of maltreatment as an engineer. You would think the next generation is better, but they are not. My last manager was in his early 30s and he was one of the worst. When I told him that I was looking for other employment because of the poor treatment, his reply was, "I don't care if you are looking for another job, but while you work here, you will do as your told." He spent quite a bit of time trying to "put me in my place." He also spread lies to upper management and tried to get me fired. I was 20 years his senior with 18 more years of engineering experience. He had worked for the company for 6 years. At the time, I had been there 10 years. But, because I am not a white man, they leap frogged him over me to become team lead. I had to leave engineering because I was tired of being treated as less than because I am not a white man. I had to get out in order to protect my mental health. No job is worth losing that.
I am a Boost nominator on Medium. I don't know if you're active on that platform, but your experiences represent the exact sort of thing that they'd want to promote. If you want to pitch something, please DM me and I'll work with you to ensure it's in the format Medium is looking for. Thanks for your comment!
Does not surprise in the least, sorry it happened and happens. I’ve actually had to correct this behavior in field work I did as a Geologist. Once a driller said something about Black people when I told him to back off the trash talk (no Blacks were in the job), he said changed his tune to slandering Puerto Ricans. What was funny to me was that I am half Puerto Rican 🤣. Did I let him have it. After the job was completed I reported his behavior officially. Don’t know if anything was done personally to him but I do know he never did another drilling job for us.
I believe most minorities have to deal with this in some form or fashion. As you pointed out, even if it isn't targeted to your group, they are targeting other minority groups. I commend you for speaking up and letting them know it's not acceptable in your presence. And, that it has cost them business. This is how things change, by there being consequences for bad behavior.
I cannot imagine the crap that you have gone through (well I can a bit). I’m a retired welder and the amount of crap that I had to put up with pales in comparison to what any bi-racial person has to deal with. Why are men so afraid of women in the workplace? Why are white people so afraid of someone with a different skin tone? Why do people with fragile egos try to discriminate against someone who looks different or comes from a different background? It’s weird!
I can tell you it hasn't been easy. If you read my Substack, you'll get an idea of how things have been for me. I am about to release a book about what I've faced, including being placed on Performance Improvement Plans and strategies I've learned in order to keep my job. I hope to publish on Amazon in the next couple of weeks.
They don't realize it, but they're hurting themselves, too. Treating everyone equally with dignity & getting along with others fosters trust, friendly attitudes & positive relationships, which benefits everyone concerned. Discrimination & maltreatment of others breeds mistrust. If white men have a reputation for oppression & brutality, women & people of color will try to avoid them.
Kathryn, Those are all very good questions. I think it is a power balance and they are afraid of losing power. Just think…what if they lose power and are treated the way they have treated women and minorities? They are afraid of reaping what they have sowed.
They are afraid that they will be treated as they secretly know/believe they deserve to be. Ironically in a fairer, kinder, more just and accountable society everyone would have a better experience.
It’s not just corporate America. Up until 2021 I’d been a state employee most of my career and it was pretty much the same. I ended up taking a demotion (but admittedly it pays significantly more money) to get out of the hell hole I was working in. You get tired of being abused & considered less than. I’ve got 10 more years to work before I can get full retirement benefits and I’m seriously considering if the $1,000/month I’d forfeit by retiring early is worth sticking around for this foolery another decade.
Dear Creepy Weird Dude with the gross sticker on your truck,
If you wanted to tell the world, "I have three outstanding orders of protection, unpaid child support, and women cover their drinks when I walk into the room"
we get that, but why didn't you just say so?
If you were dying for everyone to know, "I am that annoying relative that nobody really wants at the Thanksgiving dinner table, because he always gets shitfaced and causes a scene."
that's understood.
If you wanted to tell the world, "I am a low-wattage, zero-charm, totally unfuckable loser,"
message received.
Your decision to put this creepy sticker on yourunpaid-for truck tells us all those bad things about you. And so much more.
But why drag Kamala into it?
Sincerely,
People who are tired of your shit
Well said!
Print it out and share with the creepy guy
Dang Jim!! You said everything I could possibly say and did it much better without swearing every other word.. but totally unfuckable loser is awesome!!!🙌🏽🤙🏽🙌🏽
That's a great idea - to print this out and keep a few copies handy to slap on the windshields of cars sporting this or similar stickers.
Yes! I also carry printouts of the news article where the judge said Trump is a rapist: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/07/19/trump-carroll-judge-rape/
To dodge that annoying WaPo paywall: https://tinyurl.com/3aj2cpbx
Ouch. Brilliant
OMG.
I’m 72 so I bridge a divide.
I remember the Senate as a dignified body. Their members didn’t campaign against each other. That ended when Mitch McConnell’s open racist disdain became the rule. The House, always scrappy, went down the hell hole with Gingrich, then Karl Rove the unelected trash.
I believed&embraced Michele Obama’s: when they go low, we go high.
But frankly, I’ve had enough.
That anyone thought Trump won the Biden/Trump debate insults my intelligence&good nature. Trump failed to answer any questions, lied&rambled his way thru the evening.
Do I think “couch fucker” is distasteful? Maybe, but there’s no doubt Trump is a lying, felonious, rapist. There’s also after of life of excess&no moral compass evident dementia.
I think the tide is turning and that everyone has "had enough" but it can't come quickly enough. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Yes, we need to call out the evil when we see it in no uncertain terms.
donald has already lost the popular vote twice. His juvenile behavior and total lack of empathy should disqualify him from the job of president. But it’s his constant efforts to divide us and stoke violent behavior that should disqualify him from even running for the job again.
I agree.
Since when did 35%-40% constitute a majority? Trump is so criminal and disgusting, I doubt he will get that high a turnout to vote for him..
That is a forgone conclusion Arvella.
The most omoinus question to be answered is :
Who will refuse to certify the election results,
Who will be injured, killed or maimed as result of the now better organized and mobilized MAGA “army” that has been waiting to fight for “their” country and quite literally, remove their hated enemies.
Please understand ,
This is not hyperbole or hypothetic propaganda.
Be prepared
Believe me, I don't take the threat lightly. Crazy people can be violent, and we have seen on J6 and in active threats currently posted online on social media that we are dealing with the worst kind of crazy people who feel justified in carrying out violence against fellow Americans. Do you think it will help if we fix our economy and work to create good jobs for everyone? Idle hands are the devil's workshop. Also we need good education on maintaining health and well-being because a mind is a terrible thing to waste. We need healthy minds and busy hands.
Yes Arvella,
Better education and better economic development will create a more stable environment and reduce the frustration and fear that destabilization causes:
Most certainly!
Ivan,
Dead people have voted for years :
Today many of them wear bright colored head gear and caps . It’s an old tradition.
I really don't care how they feel about being called "couch fucker" or even "fascist", when I've heard the Left called "pedos", "demons", "Stalinists", "traitors", "terrorists", and now "unhumans". If they don't want to be called "fascists" perhaps they should act less like fascists. As a wise man once said, "acting like a clown gives us the right to laugh".
Who was that wise man, Pere? I would like to use that quote and give the author credit.
ummm ... it was Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys, actually.
Thank you, Pere. I'm off to find that in his work - I might be wrong to assume that it is a lyric though. But I'll find it. Thanks
It's a lyric from "Macho Insecurity" on the album "Bedtime For Democracy".
https://genius.com/Dead-kennedys-macho-insecurity-lyrics
At the age of 70 I have the same perspective re Congress. Hell, I remember the Watergate hearings. They couldn't happen now with the posturing creatures that are now in both houses.
I've been an expat for 45 years, working in several different countries. The racism in the US is in a class of its own, and must be confronted in all its forms!
The racist deniers are a huge part of the problem. We have to be honest about calling it out when we see it. Thanks for your comment!
I so agree!
Thanks for the comment!
The way I see it is the only way we're gonna get rid of this degree of racism and other bigotry is collectively shun bigots from society and social life. Enough of us stand up and say to the people we know "no I will not agree to disagree, we can't just not discuss it, if kind of hate and discrimination is what's in your heart then even if it doesn't affect me directly I don't want to be anywhere near you let anyone your friend or customer or whatever else"
Make then feel embarrassed to be racist or homophobic. Make them embarrassed to be ableist. Should we have to shame them? No. But as we drive that behavior out of our acceptable society, the thinking that causes it will eventually follow
Agree.
Thank you 😊
No, the right is angry and filled with hate.
I’m a Christian, and the issue is MAGA hate, not right vs left. I’ve been called a baby killer for sharing about my miscarriage. By the right. So maybe as a Christian, your responsibility is not to preach Christ at everyone but to live like Christ and start by rebuking the abusers among you. Judgement begins with the church, not from it to everyone else. This is the comment of someone who doesn’t get repentance at all. It’s not about controlling everyone else. It starts with you. How can you complain about the left in the context of this post? I can give you multiple examples of how I’ve been abused by “the right” and I’m not defending the left by doing so.
The right is the problem.
I’m not white. Native Hawaiian here.. I’m married to a white like Casper white dude. Everyone I come across even in California always without fail: “What are you”.. only when I’m home in Hawaii no one asks me that.. I grew up in a wealthy area in Newport Beach.. some assumed I was Hispanic.. no I’m not. I’m a Native Hawaiian Norwegian.. my hubby is Finn and has brown hair and bright blue eyes and he gets darker than I do.. growing up in Newport I didn’t get trolled because of who my Dad was and we were well off.. but now in this racist climate thanks to that Orange Asshat and the Repuklicant Party I get looked up and down and a few people made comments to my husband asking: where’d you find her.. Is she your new live in maid? My hubby clocked the guy.. that’s my wife and you better be respectful. The guy is persona non grata now.. no one will do business with him.. he came back to my husband and mea culpa’d .. my husband has a very good long assed memory.. he refuses to do business with him and quite a few others have followed suit.. FAFO moment.. here’s the way to handle bullshit.. hold people accountable. You make racist comments you lose business. You treat people how you’d like to be treated.. treat people like crap your gonna end up eating crap. I always try my best to follow my father’s rules: Integrity character and kindness. Period end of story. Learn it.. Live it.. Love it
Absolutely true, thanks for that great comment. I too don't listen to this "when you call them out it divides us" crap. If they don't want to be called racist, then they shouldn't behave like racists. Thank you for your wonderful story!
This is an excellent point. I live in a supposedly "purple" community. 2016 and 2020: As soon as I saw the tRump signs go up on ANY of the businesses in the community, I stopped going to those businesses or added them to my mental list of never-going-to-that-business. If someone is idiotic enough to publicize their racist politics in a business environment, they deserve to lose business.
I stop doing business where a Trump flag or sign exists.
Me too.
Good for openers Karen!
Absolutely Blue Rodeo!!
As a Canadian Blue Rodeo has another meaning, they were a band. A good one in my small opinion
As a non U.S. citizen my one place I went to was Hawai’i Lovely people. Makes me think of the Indigenous people in the PNW. My respect to you and your spouse.
Thank you Elaine. Your comment was so kind.
I am sorry you both had to deal with morons. My reflex would be for you to say,”No, he’s my boy toy”. This is why I have to remind myself at 72 I am no longer a badass.
:) Yeah, I have to remind myself of that often too. I think of the scene from "No Country for Old Men" where Tommy Lee Jones emphasizes that all conflict is uncertain. The rule is to always walk away and keep living, that's how you win!
Mary you are still a badass even in your 70’s.. because I bet no one messes with you!!
Not all Republicans are ash.
What I would like to say to these assholes with the idiotic trucks and ignorant bumper stickers is “sorry about your penis” and “sorry your dad didn’t love you”. It’s always one or the other. It’s unfortunate that we live in a world where their dysfunction causes them to lash out and blame everyone else for their pathetic, hate filled lives. And the rest of us have to deal with it.
My wife always says that when they go driving by.
Me too. Or something even less kind.
Sooz I think we share the same brain when dealing with Aholes
I usually use thumb and forefinger to make the “tiny peen” gesture as I drive by.
Yeah, my wife always shouts it at those guys too
So much about American pop culture now is about the "flex," and this type of awful political flex has been manifested by trumpism. Yes, the over-the-top monster trucks with huge flags, the maxi pad on the ear look, the hate-filled bumper stickers and window decals, all meant to externalize what you mentioned. Too bad our culture does not have a "fix yourself" mentality that is larger than the vile public display of their proudly pathetic shortcomings.
Well said. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but you're so right.
It goes further back than Donnie - I remember when the Hummer H2 came out and the radio commercials had the tagline "As a matter of fact, you DO own the road!".
Right. Hummers are a huge flex that exudes small dick energy
Bigley.
@The maxi-pad on the ear look ….” May I use this? So accurate as is all of your post.
Absolutely use it! Haha, I probably borrowed it from someone else
Any time I see the idiots with the giant lifted trucks (that always look like they’ve never been off-road, btw) my first thought is, “sorry about your penis,” then, “Sorry for the people in your life who have to tolerate you.” These always seem like angry, intolerant young men. I know I am digressing from the article, but these ridiculous trucks generally have at least one hateful sticker on them. Don’t even get me started on “truck nuts.”
Yeah, I agree.
Your comment reminds me of a true story my ex-husband used to tell from the time he worked as a nursing assistant on the psych floor of a hospital. One of the male patients used to like to wander the halls with his robe open trying to startle the younger, predominantly female, staff. The nursing supervisor had the perfect response to his nonsense.
“I know. It IS very small, isn’t it? Come on, let’s get you back to your room.”
I always think of this story when I see the oversized trucks with oversized Trump flags. I just see them as advertising how very unmanly they feel and therefore are.
It puts me in mind of the “Real men don’t…” stickers from the 80s.
IMO Real Men don’t see anything good about putting other people down to feel better about themselves.
I worked construction in the ‘70s as a young woman. My favorite was when a welder exposed himself to my friend and she said,”that reminds me I need to get some toothpicks back at camp”. He later told her her comment would hurt a man’s feelings. She said a man with feelings would never do that to a woman.
BTW the big trucks are needed to haul their egos around. Their intelligence can be hauled on a skateboard.
There’s so much truth in your comment. The worst part is these repugnant men who then, after an assault, feel they have the right to complain about their “feelings” getting hurt. Our society has to start getting these monsters into treatment rather than accommodating their awful behavior. Thanks for sharing.
Actually Deana,
We don’t have to deal with it: not if we don’t
want to.
Anyone who has a choice as to whether or not they "deal with it" is highly privileged indeed. Not everyone has that choice.
LC???:,
The comment was meant to spur people TO DEAL with MAKING a situation they DON’T
like and don’t want:
A FACT:
No,
If you see a situation that leads to genocidal annihilation(?),
Then dismantle it :
Don’t just “deal” with it .
My kids are not white, they’re Asian. My son doesn’t say much, but my daughter spent 9 months of the tRump administration in the States with her dad. She was constantly insulted and dealt with a lot of micro aggressions at her job. She had enough and came back to Sweden. It was 2023 before she agreed to go visit her dad and other family again. But she has made it clear that her home is here (she’s grown up here since she was 2) and has no interest in ever living in the US. It makes me sad to think about how many people don’t have an alternative. That’s what we must work on. I want all the people I love (and some of the ones I don’t love) in the States to be safe, secure , and treated fairly. I’d also like my kids to be able to choose to stay in Sweden because they simply like it here, not to avoid the US. I hope we can achieve this!
The Trump administration repeatedly called for violence against the Asian community, it was deplorable. I'm glad she has the opportunity to live in Sweden. The USA needs to be reformed from the top down. Thanks for your kind words!
As an person of Asian descent, it speaks volumes to me how tRump referred to COVID as the "kung flu" and thinks not only that that is a witticism but also asserts that it is an innocuous comment. Hey, Steve Cheung, do you realize you are of Chinese descent? Quoting Drill Sergeant Hartman from Full Metal Jacket., what is your major malfunction?
My brain can NOT comprehend how any person of color or any woman of any race can be a MAGat. I understand how regardless of race or gender one be either liberal or conservative, but this is just insanity. My daughter left before the pandemic, so I can only imagine how bad it would
How much worse it would become. She’s a very intuitive person and can read micro expressions so well. It’s probably a good thing, but I know it hurts.
Walter,
Beautiful writing, and your navigation of the maze before us is phenomenal. Your children are very fortunate, this is family as is needs to be.
Thank you, I appreciate your kind words!
I am of the opinion T/rump is not truly human. I believe he was conjured up by demons in hell and sent into the world to spread hate and chaos. If there is a just God, T/rump will have a special place waiting for him in hell. I cannot think of anyone more deserving them T/rump to spend eternity in hell.
I'm still upset at DonOld's Christmas Day post saying Biden, Pelosi, Jack Smith, etc, all liberals and EV users should all go to hell.
He’s a subhuman.
subhuman:
Synonyms of subhuman: less than human: such as
a: failing to attain the level (as of morality or intelligence) associated with normal human beings
He could actually be the poster boy for subhuman.
I get where you’re coming from on that Rob. It’s tempting to ascribe such malevolence as we witness in Trump and some of his closest followers to a supernatural cause. My own belief is that it lets the rest of us off the hook in a way when we deny that that behavior too, is human behavior. I believe malignant narcissists are made, not born. And I am passionate about electing Democrats because I want to live in a world where no child is ever again neglected and mistreated to the point that he becomes another DT. We have a very long way to go, but it is within the scope of human power to do so, if we have the will.
I've always thought of him as that old Christian trope, the antichrist.
Reformed from the bottom up also. That’s why education is so critical, as you point out.
you do realize that " fuck (insert name here)" is Duhmurican for " I'm a mean, really, really, stupid, son of a bitch" it's actually good to see these people label themselves so we know who to avoid.
Yup, they're awful people. I think we have to get in the habit of taking pictures of their cars with these racist slogans and calls for violence, and then report them to their place of work. There have to be consequences for this behavior.
Agreed. There are content creators who already spend a lot of their time outing people who are overtly bigoted to others in public. This seems like a good next step.
Good one!
I wish you were wrong.
I also wish you had no electoral college, no bent judges, and a long time culture of compulsory abd easy voting, and none of this fuss.
(I wish we had no bent judges, either. )
Your children do not need to see that truck. None of us do. Its just about creating a war. Who wants to destroy your country? Divide and conquer... Who expects the spoils?
I really hope and pray for your peace and safety, and no war.
I do have hope that this is possible. I cling to that.
I agree with you. Stickers with guns near a school? I'm getting so sick of that. Thank you for your kind words!
To name a few of those expecting to receive the spoils of "divide and conquer Americans" are the wealthy individuals and corporations heavily invested in the fossil fuel industry, pharmaceutical industry, banking industry, military equipment industry, real estate industry, insurance industry, hospital industry, foreign adversaries, corrupt politicians and judges. They've gotten in the driver's seat of parts of our government. These are big and powerful enemies, but the power of the people through our vote and our pocketbook is bigger than they are. With passion and persistence we can undo the laws and regulations that gave away our power to them.
I hope we can also rid ourselves of racism through our passion and persistence to eradicate it.
And sexism and agism too.
Along with homophobia, transphobia, and ableism
I'm so sorry you have to have these conversations with your daughter--that any parent has to do so. Racists are the first to squawk when they don't get to spew their hate. I agree that the restraint of the rest of the population abridges our rights to free speech, but speaking up makes us vulnerable to violence or threats of violence. It's a sad situation, and I don't know the answer. Thanks for posting.
Isn't it awful that this is the state of things? What an embarrassment the USA has become. I think the best tactic is to take pictures of these jerks and spread them wherever we can. If they want to put their racism on display, the rest of the world should know who they are. Thanks for the comment!
There’s a subreddit called “Info Warriors” - or something like that - where people post photos of cars & trucks covered with the kinds of bumper stickers you’re talking about, and then make fun of them. From what I recall, it’s a lot of conspiracy theory stuff, but also a lot of racist stuff. Ironically, it seemed they could often be found in the parking lot of a Mexican restaurant.
That's interesting. Is there any effort to get these people fired for their racism? I don't want to spend money at businesses that employ racists.
Truth in that!
I've seen these too. It is literally the movie Idiocracy come to life. So much hate and ignorance and division.
They’re such awful people and they don’t even try to hide it.
They don't WANT to hide it. They're proud of being racist because they somehow interpret that as "freedom", and they adore their gibbering idiot President and Elon "Free Speech For Nazis" Musk for letting them do it in public.
That's true. I guess we have to give them a reason to want to hide it. It's disgusting how they want free speech for Nazis but not anyone else. Thanks for the comment!
Yes, the racism, cruelty, and stupidity are not bugs, they're features. Drumpf didn't invent racism, he made it safe racists to come out in the open.
But you Demoncrats LOVE Nazis, you're always sending them money, scumbag.
Excellent summation, Walter. It's absolutely true that liberals are more restricted than conservatives, even by ourselves, since one of the main defining characteristics of each seems to be empathy vs. the complete lack of it. And your observation that powerful white men perpetuate racism and misogyny is so on target. I'm sure any of those types would vigorously disagree. My liberal friends (I only have liberal friends) and I joke about how much easier it is to be a conservative: no worries about global warming, the environment, racism, sexism, equality, kindness, the common good, etc. They can pour their energies, and it is readily apparent that they do this, into hatred, bullying, derision, and displays like that window decal. To the person who owns that vehicle and placed that decal, I would ask, how would you feel if your mother, sister, or daughter were called a "hoe?" Probably you'd want to grab your nearest handy firearm, I'm sure. But to be the recipient of such vulgar nonsense does not even occur to someone like that. Therein lies their defining personality trait.
Absolutely true and very well said. We have the scientific method on the left, so we tend to appear to bicker with each other, while the right is unified by hatred and ignorance. But our side is more powerful despite our apparent flaws. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
Is it discriminatory of me to give at least a partial pass to the less educated cult members but to expect more from the Paul Singers, the Adelsons, the Mercers, the Tim Mellons, the Thiels and to ascribe deep seated racism and a disturbing affinity for authoritarianism to those ultrawealthy megadonors? I am particularly puzzled how Singer and the Adelsons (well, Mrs. Adelson now that Sheldon has passed) throw their lot in with thevMAGA movement, which includes viciously antisemitic elements
I am almost 70. Having spent my formative teen years in a rural county in Maryland after an extremely abusive and dysfunctional family childhood experience in SE Washington DC, I didn't realize until my mid 20's how backwards that rural experience had been.
I would say that overall, living in that rural world, that it was an intellectual abyss, with the possible exception of a few teachers. The news was local, mostly baseball and football oriented, and sports was the main social orientation at school. Not arts, not music, not the larger culture. Spectator sports, along with cars, guns, fishing, camping, hunting were the main topics of interest or recreation. Racism was palpable. Marriage was, at that time, the main aspiration for girls. Trades were the main work opportunities for men as were lots of factory jobs. In hindsight, it appeared that people were just going through the "normy" zombie motions, in the big hamster-wheel of life. I was lucky to step away and taste a larger, more urban experience, which was both enriching, eye-opening, and humbling.
Living in rural areas can stifle intellectual curiosity, which isn't exactly discouraged, but not encouraged either. Local papers are weak and parochial. And Life gets in the way a lot, especially with lower incomes.
But in 2024, things are a bit different, with the advent of the main stream media, 24 hour news, smartphones, the internet, and the information highway. Although rural folks have more access these days, they still seem to self-select anti-culture, anti-intellectualism, and particularly xenophobic tendencies. It's a big barrel of Dunning-Kruger, but they take pride in not caring. Folks like the guy driving that pickup are just going through the motions of that culture (or lack of), on top of more violent, mostly testicular, grievances.
Finally, I think the small penis thing is definitely a legitimate issue.
I've written a lot about the rural experience. Even now, after all these years, I feel like I'm on the fringes of civilized society. Thanks for the thoughtful post, you've given me a few ideas to explore in future articles!
I agree with you in the past there may not have been many options or sources of content that could promote culture, or intellectualism, or curiosity, or diversity, etc, but now, with the wide Internet easily accessible to most people in the these conservative communities, that excuse falls flat. Anyone still choosing those types of sources exclusively is actively avoiding any other viewpoint, and other experience. It's a choice at that point, so nowadays, even if someone is racist out of ignorance, they are still responsible for that as it is on everyone to choose to learn about marginalized communities that they are not part of
When I am puzzled by people who seem to be acting against their own better interest, I have learned to check my supposition. If it looked like a person had joined a group who was vocal about hating people like them, i.e., POC joining a white supremacist group, I used to think it reflected self-loathing and conflict, but now I'm not sure that is the case. The more I understand about power and control (through whatever means - political, through wealth and status, or from behind a weapon), the more I think I simply would like it to be easy to understand - that everyone who "fits" into a group would be able to understand and have empathy for others in the group who have the same kind of experiences. But that is not the case. Not everyone has empathy for others, whether they are similar to them or not and certainly if they are seen as dissimilar. Because I acknowledge what is right in front of my face, I do accept that there are sociopaths among us, and my empathy and appreciation that they are a human being, and maybe a human who was short-changed when it comes to having a conscience and empathy for others, has absolutely no effect on their behaviour - they have no empathy for me or anyone else. What is shocking to me is that I always believed that sort of person was a rarity, but again, I have to accept what I see.
So, that might speak to the footsoldier in the MAGA army - the ones who, after January 6th, went home, sort of woke up from the mass hypnosis that drove them to go to the Capitol and scream so many obscenities along with everyone else and behave in ways completely alien to themselves. I actually saw interviews with some people who suddenly realized what was happening and shook themselves back to awareness and got the hell out of there. I saw one man who talked about exactly that and how he literally had to drag his wife out of the mob and out of the Capitol building. But of the others, the ones who are propping up Trump and his followers with money and other rewards? I think we have to look past the group they look like they would be a part of (race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic group, etc) and look to the payoff for them. I cannot pretend to understand what would be a payoff, but money, power, and being allowed to hang out around money and power are the first things that come to mind for me. But then, I don't run in those circles and don't have a clue how it would feel.
But I also believe that we can look at the story of Faust to see how this might (or should) end for them. In the long run, I might have empathy for them, but it will not change my holding them responsible for their behaviour.
This is a very thoughtful comment Vickie. I agree that it's important to probe beneath the surface and try to figure out what's happening here. I think we're making progress, but it's been something I've been doing for 10 years, and it's slow going. That moment of awakening can happen. We have to figure out how to provoke it throughout the country. Thanks for your words!
The people who join White supremacists think that when the revolution comes, they'll be protected, much like the Brown Shirts in Germany. Since we don't teach real history anymore, most don't know about the "Night of the Long Knives," when the Brown Shirts were either killed or sent to Concentration Camps because they thought they were owed something and no one wanted to give them a damned thing. If Trump and his ilk win or lose, blood will flow either way. As soon as they are no longer useful, they are gone. Sad.
Yeah there's definitely a "I'm one of the good ones" attempted by some members of marginalized communities trying to cozy up to their oppressors, morning to avoid the persecution and discrimination shown to others in their community, but all they end up accomplishing is being used to further the marginalization of their community, only fall victim at some point later too the same problems.
One great example in my opinion is Caitlyn Jenner. She, a trans woman, regularly speaks out against the rights of trans women. She believes that her money combined with her cooperation in our marginalization will keep her safe from the right, but they will come for her, and she will have helped to seal her own fate if we do not succeed
Follow the money…
Walter, personally I think the "bickering" is our strength and, even if some people get anxious about our not falling in line with some concept that explains everything about our policies and plans for the future. No matter what, discussion always is better than just falling in line behind some jingoistic slogans.
Yes, I agree!
Insults are not an argument.
They are not policy.
They are not offering hope or solutions.
Just baring their empty souls.
Unfortunately, they are trying to make racism policy. They're trying to indoctrinate our children with it. They're trying to teach it in schools. They're using it to clutter up all forms of media. We have to do better. Thanks for your comment!
Funny since they think the Dems are grooming their kids to be LGBTQ+.
It breaks my heart that you even had to have this adult conversation with your 11 year old daughter. 😔
Before tRump, it was, at the very least, socially unacceptable for these people to let their hate and ignorance loose in public! There was never a “fine line” between free speech and hate speech! Then, tRump gave them all permission to come out from the rocks they were hiding under and offered no accountability!
With all honesty, it’s not the people of color, Latinos, immigrants, or Jews that embarrass me to be an American. It’s the racist, ignorant, white Christian nationalists that do!
It certainly has gotten worse, but that hate has always bubbled just beneath the surface in our communities. Hopefully we'll start to see why this kind of thing can't be allowed. Thanks for the comment!
The hopeful part of it coming into the open is that it is easier to confront than when it hides under the surface.
That’s exactly right! I was just telling my mom that if anything positive came from that sorry excuse of a human being (tRump), it’s that he showed us who we really are! The hate crawled right out from under their rocks with his permission! The hard part is going to be getting them to slither back underneath them! 🗳️💙🌹
Donald Trump is the whore he has cheated on all three of his wives multiple times and he has three baby mamas but yet that’s OK. Imagine if Kamala was in the same situation you would never hear the end of it.
That's a fantastic observation.
Or I’d even say what if it was a black man, not Kamala. Society sure looks at folks different!
Well put. Your kid is smart!
She is. She makes me hopeful for the future. This was from a couple years ago, you should see her today. Thanks for the kind words!
I’m surrounded by folks that think it’s funny and I’d love to share your full article and/or these (2) quotes of yours to help them reflect:
“What an awful message to send out into the world. What an embarrassing level of ignorance on display.”
“We can’t allow for the further normalization of racist hatred. The behavior of modern conservatives is an affront to common decency. We have to do better.”
They’re so easily triggered, but this commentary can’t be denied — unless you’re a white racist of course.
Hopefully not all of them are 🫤
Print the article out and leave it on their windshield... though they probably can't read. Thanks for your kind comment!
Great Idea — I’ll convert to ALL CAPS, they seem to like that 🤭
I am a biracial woman (black and white) who is an engineer. If you want to see how this plays out in someone's life- the sexism and racism- in corporate America, I invite you to read my Substack. I share what it is like to be a female person of color in a male dominated industry. I have had over 20 years of maltreatment as an engineer. You would think the next generation is better, but they are not. My last manager was in his early 30s and he was one of the worst. When I told him that I was looking for other employment because of the poor treatment, his reply was, "I don't care if you are looking for another job, but while you work here, you will do as your told." He spent quite a bit of time trying to "put me in my place." He also spread lies to upper management and tried to get me fired. I was 20 years his senior with 18 more years of engineering experience. He had worked for the company for 6 years. At the time, I had been there 10 years. But, because I am not a white man, they leap frogged him over me to become team lead. I had to leave engineering because I was tired of being treated as less than because I am not a white man. I had to get out in order to protect my mental health. No job is worth losing that.
I am a Boost nominator on Medium. I don't know if you're active on that platform, but your experiences represent the exact sort of thing that they'd want to promote. If you want to pitch something, please DM me and I'll work with you to ensure it's in the format Medium is looking for. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you. I will definitely do that👍
Does not surprise in the least, sorry it happened and happens. I’ve actually had to correct this behavior in field work I did as a Geologist. Once a driller said something about Black people when I told him to back off the trash talk (no Blacks were in the job), he said changed his tune to slandering Puerto Ricans. What was funny to me was that I am half Puerto Rican 🤣. Did I let him have it. After the job was completed I reported his behavior officially. Don’t know if anything was done personally to him but I do know he never did another drilling job for us.
Thank you for speaking out. Every single time somebody does that, it creates a ripple effect.
I believe most minorities have to deal with this in some form or fashion. As you pointed out, even if it isn't targeted to your group, they are targeting other minority groups. I commend you for speaking up and letting them know it's not acceptable in your presence. And, that it has cost them business. This is how things change, by there being consequences for bad behavior.
I cannot imagine the crap that you have gone through (well I can a bit). I’m a retired welder and the amount of crap that I had to put up with pales in comparison to what any bi-racial person has to deal with. Why are men so afraid of women in the workplace? Why are white people so afraid of someone with a different skin tone? Why do people with fragile egos try to discriminate against someone who looks different or comes from a different background? It’s weird!
Weird and creepy. Thanks for the kind words!
I can tell you it hasn't been easy. If you read my Substack, you'll get an idea of how things have been for me. I am about to release a book about what I've faced, including being placed on Performance Improvement Plans and strategies I've learned in order to keep my job. I hope to publish on Amazon in the next couple of weeks.
I’ll grab a copy when it’s out. Please let me know when it’s available!
They don't realize it, but they're hurting themselves, too. Treating everyone equally with dignity & getting along with others fosters trust, friendly attitudes & positive relationships, which benefits everyone concerned. Discrimination & maltreatment of others breeds mistrust. If white men have a reputation for oppression & brutality, women & people of color will try to avoid them.
Kathryn, Those are all very good questions. I think it is a power balance and they are afraid of losing power. Just think…what if they lose power and are treated the way they have treated women and minorities? They are afraid of reaping what they have sowed.
They are afraid that they will be treated as they secretly know/believe they deserve to be. Ironically in a fairer, kinder, more just and accountable society everyone would have a better experience.
It’s not just corporate America. Up until 2021 I’d been a state employee most of my career and it was pretty much the same. I ended up taking a demotion (but admittedly it pays significantly more money) to get out of the hell hole I was working in. You get tired of being abused & considered less than. I’ve got 10 more years to work before I can get full retirement benefits and I’m seriously considering if the $1,000/month I’d forfeit by retiring early is worth sticking around for this foolery another decade.